Just when you think it's safe to believe the Nationals are climbing out of their season-long funk, an undermanned and underperforming lineup comes back and rears its ugly head once again.

Last night's 2-hit effort against Justin Masterson and the Indians (ultimately resulting in a 2-1, walk-off loss) was about as weak an offensive showing as we've seen this year out of the Nationals, made all the more frustrating by the fact Gio Gonzalez's gem of a start was wasted thanks to lack of run support.

Not to completely take away from Masterson, who was brilliant himself over seven innings, but the Nationals didn't exactly put up a competitive fight against Cleveland's starter. The right-hander had two excellent pitches working all night: a heavy sinker that he kept pounding down and in on right-handed batters, and a sharp-bending slider that he kept mixing in on the other side of the strike zone.

But that's all Masterson had. He kept throwing the same two pitches throughout the game, and there didn't appear to be much (if any) adjustment taking place in the batter's box. At-bats in theRead more »

No, they cannot replace Harper, but they can, at least, try players such as Eury Perez who seems to get a hit or more in every game at AAA. The moves made so far have been productive on the whole. Rendon, the two young lefties in the pen, Kobernus have all provided spark, and Rendon even may have been partly the reason for Desi's resurgence.Instead, what does Johnson do. Takes Rendon and Kobernus out of the lineup and we are back to the same old. If he's not careful, Johnson will mismanage this team out of the play offs.

This game showed once again, that this club's margin for error is razor thin. When the team's hottest hitter goes 0-3 w/2 K's, your vets go 1-12 w/7 K's and the best hitter is on the DL, it's probably not the best time to decide to play your entire bench in the same lineup. In any event, all of them are major leaguers and should be capable of doing their job. Last night was but another chapter in this group as a whole not doing their jobs.

The fact that the hitters weren't ready for Masterson's two-pitch repertoire at the start of the game and still couldn't adjust near the end is further evidence that the firing of Rick Eckstein is long overdue.

I agree with Jeeves. Johnson has Rendon and Kobernus who do not appear over-matched at the plate whereas Tracy and Bernadina appear lost. Why he changed his lineup last night is beyond me. Speaking of chance let's give a few new people a shot and see what they can do. We already know what Tracy, Bernardino and Suzuki can give us. I really think it is time to give Brown a chance. He has some power and he can play the outfield. Tracy has had his chance . Suzuki clearly needs a rest. I am not saying Solano is the answer but he appears to have a quicker bat than Suzuki. It is time to give him a few games. Lastly I have no words to describe the effort of Werth and LaRoche. They were an embarrassment at the plate last night. I might be inclined to give Marrero a chance. LaRoche needs a break. Last night I would have played Zim and DH'd Marrero. I know Davey is shorthanded but last night was no excuse. He has a team of underachievers. It is time to try something new. The new players that Rizzo has brought in to date have outperformed this sad bunch of regulars. Brown and Marrero can do no worse than Tracy, Bernadina, Laroche, Werth, Suzuki, etc. Johnson has to go with who is hitting. Enough of trying to jump start people. That line is old and nothing more than an excuse for incompetence.

I am with Fast Eddie and Jeeves on this – every time I think we are finally turning a corner, we fall back and it kills me. I was excited to see Kobernus get an opportunity and then see him succeed. Rendon has brought that joy I felt we needed and then both are on the bench. How much more rope does Tracy need? Are you telling me we have no one who can backup at 3rd and hit .250? I do understand that you probably don't want to flip Rendon back and forth as he learns a new position but it was just one game. How would that have slowed his progess? I love this team but this was a tough one.Win the next two and we will still be winning series and hopefully putting pressure on the Braves. I have not looked at last night but they were losing when I last checked.If the Indians thought Gio was tough, wait until tonight!!Go Nats!! Win the Series

"Instead, what does Johnson do. Takes Rendon and Kobernus out of the lineup and we are back to the same old. If he's not careful, Johnson will mismanage this team out of the play offs."Taking out the guy who has hit .400 in his last 30 ABs and replacing him with the guy who is below the Espinosa Line (.150) was brilliant, even though you failed to understand just how shrewd that was. I don't understand it either, but what do I know?When Goldman Sachs and all the other investment geniuses on Wall St. bet the farm on sub-prime asset backed securities, I was too stupid to take that golden opportunity to go bankrupt. I was just too dumb to appreciate that it was the right move, like all the smart money on Wall St knew that it was. Davey's move was brilliant, from one of the best minds in baseball. I mean, who else would have been shrewd enough to substitute the team's absolute worst hitter for its hottest bat?I confess to being just too dumb to understand that one, either. Hey, Davey, wanna buy some Greek bonds?

I listened to Davey's interview. (1) He didn't notice the runner inside the base paths, he was asked a couple of times, and just seemed foggy on what happened. (They didn't have LaRoche's video on the site.)(2) They did ask him about the offense and he was very critical of it, including the hitters' approaches. (3) No one asked him about Tracy, Stras, or Harper. (4) He said Clip might need the day off today but would be available Sunday. (5) He said he had to put GIo out there with a lot of pitches but he had "great stuff" and kept us in the ballgame.

The problem is hitting approach, poor coaching and lack of leadership from Davey on down. Country Club Spring Training and failure to kick some tails and demote Danny, Roger, Tracey types when it was clear months ago what needed to be done.Sync is just excuses at this point.

If u count bullpen mismanagement and lineup follies along with sticking with " his guys" Davey has lost this team about 6 games this year. The first Atlanta game. The Gio meltdown against the mets. A couple Storen meltdowns. HRods loss. Not pinch running for Lombo against the Padres among others. That's enough for first in east.

Guys – the time has come for me to say that you are not wrong this morning. I don't feel that these are morning after the loss comments. More like this is our current reality. Some positive changes have been made, though. Perhaps that is a sign that more changes will come. I am actually proud of the team for staying around five hundred during the doldrums. It's like a pitcher keeping his team in the game. Just enough to keep their head above water but not drown.

Another thing wrong with Davey and Eckstein, they seem to stop managing/coaching when the game starts. This goes to the making adjustments part of the game. Once he sees what the pitcher is throwing, like Masterson last night, Eckstein needs to be in each hitter's ear telling them what they're doing wrong and how they need to adjust like STOP SWINGING AT PITCHES OUT OF THE STRIKEZONE!On the macro level, in games like yesterday's, Davey needs to manage every inning, quickly game plan the process to get one run on the board. Yes, you won't score every inning but if your objective is to get just one run before the third out, it changes how you play. Forget about the big inning because it's not going to happen. Bunting should be on the main course and that's bunting from every player, one through nine. In a game like last night's, batting cleanup means nothing. Batting cleanup makes you no more likely to be productive than batting 9th.You have to play the smallest of ball and try to scrape out enough runs to win.

I agree baseballswami but you can only tread water so long. Eventually the tide will take you.Hopefully Davey proves me wrong. I'm wondering which player's he's watching. Moore needs repetition and therefore sent to AAA. Why is Marrero here?

Once again– agreed and agreed. There is zero in game adjustments. Eck does not even seem to talk to the players during the games. Watch the dugout. Only Randy Knorr seems to be doing any actual coaching during the game. In any other organization the hitting coach would be on the hot seat.

I'll lay the blame for last night on the players who played the game. Desi was playing (and he's hot), Zim was playing (and he's hot), ALR (and he's kind of hot), Werth, Bernadina, Span. No one's complaining about them being in the lineup, yet they had only one hit between them. Davey was playing matchups yesterday. Against a very tough RH pitcher, who gets righties out alot better than lefties, he went with Tracy and Lombardozzi. That wasn't a crazy call. You think Rendon would have had a hit yesterday? Maybe. More than one? Probably not. At least he has a chance to keep his hitting streak alive today. I'd like to Tracy released and Brown getting a shot too. (Eury Perez, not so much.) But let's not kid ourselves. This team is going to turn it around when the regulars start hitting, not because a guy who's now in Syracuse comes up.It's a beautiful, new day today and we have our best pitcher on the mound in Cleveland. That makes me happy.

I have seen lately the value of the good hitters having protection in the lineup. We just cannot have an automatic out after a good hitter. It pokes a giant hole in a lineup that needs to keep the line moving in order to score.

Section 222:I totally agree–no one at Syracuse can turn us around. Regulars not performing: Werth, Laroche, Suzuki, LF (Lombo/Bernie), Span (OBP of .318/MLB average is .340).Let's not put undue pressure on Harper to make up for all these under-achievers.

m said… I agree with Jeeves. Johnson has Rendon and Kobernus who do not appear over-matched at the plate whereas Tracy and Bernadina appear lost.Kobernus? The guy with a handful at-bats who is RH is better than Bernadina's last month of prodcution in Bernie vs. RH pitching?False but you do have to wonder if Bernadina's shoulder is barking and the same goes for Jayson Werth and his wrist.Many times the last 2 days it has been mentioned that Werth looks like he needs a rest.Maybe you do play Kobernus in LF and Bernadina in RF and sit Werth and play Rendon at 3B and have Tracy where he belongs which is out of the lineup.

Too many times the Nats have thrown in the towel and given up against good, not even great, pitching. This is simply not acceptable. Rizzo has brought up these young guys from Syracuse and now it is up to Davey Johnson to play them. Slumps are one thing, but lack of talent is another.

The beauty of Marks blog. Opinions. Mine is you have a good hitter sitting on the bench. You have a player not getting reps and he's replaced. By a player not getting reps.You have Zim DH and sit a third baseman. The whole scenario makes no sense whatsoever.

JayB said… The problem is hitting approach, poor coaching and lack of leadership from Davey on down.There is a difference between hitting approach and good pitching and poor swings.Approach came into play a few times but mostly it was poor swings.Desi had to have known he wouldn't see many strikes and may have to work walks, did he know that?Should Ryan Zimmerman with 1 out and runners on 3rd and 2nd change his approach to a shorter swing? That's not his game and Masterson took advantage of him going inside then outside for the K.It was a tough game to watch. This wasn't Harvey or Kershaw on the mound.

If Desi fancies himself an All-Star shortstop he should be able to hit regardless of who is betting behind him in the lineup. He should not need "protection." I'm not going to downplay the difference that Rendon replacing the human rally killer has made for him, but for one night he needed to step up and he didn't. No excuses.

It is also worth noting that no media asked any good questions at all……..I know Mark if not there but this group of reporters are lap dogs….what did you think of how Geo pitched….really is that the story here?

Not one asked why are your best hitters sitting on the bench?Not one asked why he keeps sending up automatic outs like Tracey and Roger.Not one asked when is it time to fire Eck?Come one people…have some nuts (sorry Amanda) and do your job.

It has become more than a joke…….every day, day after day….."what did you think Geo pitched….How do you think ZimNN pitched…..what is the point of having beat writers…..NO WONDER NEWSPAPERS in this town are dying….what is the point of reading that in print or online?

If you saw Davey's postgame interview on MASN, you might have noticed that he really wasn't entertaining questions. Perhaps you guys want the pool reporters to start shouting questions at him like they do to Obama when he's getting on the helicopter? You're not going to get the answers you want that way either.

JayB, again, what was Roger's BA in the last 14 days against ALL pitching before yesterday? .375 with a .964 OPSWhat don't you get about that. He's been one of the team's hottest hitters in the last 2 weeks.My question is was he hurt.

Section 222 said… If Desi fancies himself an All-Star shortstop he should be able to hit regardless of who is betting behind him in the lineup. He should not need "protection." I'm not going to downplay the difference that Rendon replacing the human rally killer has made for him, but for one night he needed to step up and he didn't. No excuses.He didn't make any excuses.You could see the approach a smart pitcher was going to take from a mile away. He has almost the equivalent of 3 automatic outs batting after him, Until he realizes what a smart pitcher will throw against him and take what the pitcher gives him he's going to have those type of results.If they want to pitch you in a way to expand your K zone, you don't bite. He bit the 1st AB and swung at 2 balls, didn't the 2nd AB and took the walk and expanded again in his 3rd AB by swinging at a ball out of the zone.

Smart pitcher…….why is it we have NO SMART Hitters…..Clearly Davey and Eck are not near as effective as many of you claimed all all year…..our hitters do not listen and they pay no price for it. Just get more and more AB ops auto out time.

JayB said… look at the full sample size .189 in over 100 ABS June 15, 2013 9:54 AM JayB, we all know what his full sample size is. He was in a hot streak. Did you forget his game breaking open double as a pinch hitter the day before?You have SMS, short memory syndrome.

The speculation pre-game as to the lineup Johnson sent out was that Masterson has substantially better numbers against RHBs vs. LHBs, hence, the righties like Rendon and Kobernus sit. Obviously, that didn't work out last night, but it did appear that there was at least a semblance of a plan to it, as opposed to subbing willy-nilly.

I know Desi didn't make excuses, but lots of folks here are making excuses for him. I'm just beating my point into the ground — Davey's lineup did not lose the game. Our players did.By the way, I don't know if NJ is around, but what's wrong with fans calling the Nats "we" and "us" and "ours"?

This man crush Davey has on Chad Tracy is reaching unexplainable heights…..any other contender the man would be back to Japan, with Davey he's the starting 3rd baseman with Rendon on the bench, in probably our most important series this year. Wake up Rizzo and quick.

Section222, there's no excuse being poorly aggressive when the pitcher is willing to walk you. Watch Joey Votto tape from earlier this year when Bruce was slumping behind him and the batters behind him were weak. He took the walks. That's the difference in approach. Desi screwed up and Davey didn't help the situation by putting Tracy, Suzuki and Lombo behind him. I think collectively those 3 are batting near .000 the last 5 days.

Desmond doesn't have a hundred million+ contract. Yet.He's doing his job. There are players on this team (or at AAA) that are not given the opportunity. Oakland seems to be doing well. Might be an illusion.

Mike J said… The speculation pre-game as to the lineup Johnson sent out was that Masterson has substantially better numbers against RHBs vs. LHBs, hence, the righties like Rendon and Kobernus sit. Obviously, that didn't work out last night, but it did appear that there was at least a semblance of a plan to it, as opposed to subbing willy-nilly.Exactly except for Chad Tracy who can't hit righties, lefties or BP pitchers.How do you bat him behind your hottest hitter in the lineup.Why wouldn't you move Desmond into the 2 hole last night if you were determined to sit your 2nd hottest hitter in Rendon?It was a poorly constructed lineup last night even though we can understand that Davey wanted to stack the lineup with lefty batters.

ghost stole that comment…..Davey and Man Crush….Danny is the Mount Everest. Again amazing how Media refuses to call him on that fatal flaw…a 95 win team that should have been in the WS except for Davey's Man Crush on Danny and 60 games later they still give him a pass on Danny……That is how you keep the sports writer business strong Mark.

JayB, Davey has a boss and that boss has a boss. Why wasn't Danny sent to AAA a month earlier? Why wasn't there a plan B in the off-season to get a legit 2nd baseman in here? Why wasn't Rendon playing 2nd base 1/2 the time from the start of Spring Training?Those sound like Rizzo questions more than Davey questions.

Section 222 said…I'll lay the blame for last night on the players who played the game. Desi was playing (and he's hot), Zim was playing (and he's hot), ALR (and he's kind of hot), Werth, Bernadina, Span. No one's complaining about them being in the lineup, yet they had only one hit between them. Davey was playing matchups yesterday. Against a very tough RH pitcher, who gets righties out alot better than lefties, he went with Tracy and Lombardozzi. That wasn't a crazy call. You think Rendon would have had a hit yesterday? Maybe. More than one? Probably not. At least he has a chance to keep his hitting streak alive today. I'd like to Tracy released and Brown getting a shot too. (Eury Perez, not so much.) But let's not kid ourselves. This team is going to turn it around when the regulars start hitting, not because a guy who's now in Syracuse comes up.It's a beautiful, new day today and we have our best pitcher on the mound in Cleveland. That makes me happy.June 15, 2013 9:02 AMDeuces, I agree with you 100%. Glad to see someone who uses hindsight properly. (agrees with me;) )

Talking about strategy, why on the hit and run in the 9th with the lefty Bourn batting was Lombo breaking to cover 2nd base? That becomes an easy 4-3 if Lombo holds his ground.That play was as big as any as I saw it last night and it gave the Indians 1st and 3rd with 1 out instead of man on 2nd with 2 outs.

Section 222 said…I know Desi didn't make excuses, but lots of folks here are making excuses for him. I'm just beating my point into the ground — Davey's lineup did not lose the game. Our players did.By the way, I don't know if NJ is around, but what's wrong with fans calling the Nats "we" and "us" and "ours"?June 15, 2013 10:02 AMLove the way you're thinking this morning, Deuces!

By the way, I don't know if NJ is around, but what's wrong with fans calling the Nats "we" and "us" and "ours"?June 15, 2013 10:02 AMThere is not a thing wrong with that and every person reading this board is that way. Even if they don't like to admit it after a tough loss.Time to set up the computer outside cause I know Fox will find some way to not show the Nats in Fl. New day, another game, what is not to like. GYFNG

If the Nats strategy was to get into the Indians bullpen and make things happen they got what they wanted and couldnt score a run or even get a hit against that Indians bullpen.The Nats get a RH reliever Cody Allen to face the top of the lineup with Span leading off and Allen struck out Span then Bernadina and a flyout from Zimmerman.

Werth struck out 3 times last night. Something seems wrong with him. Bernadina could be injured.Davey needs to talk with these guys and get a true reading on how they are feeling. Cant take the chance of going with injured players.These automatic outs are just killing this team.

The Nats do have the ability to go out and acquire some quality depth. You don't have to wait until the trade deadline to make moves. Go ahead and get somebody like a Willingham to be a spot starter and quality bat off the bench.Oh, and send Tracy packing. Enough is enough.

"TexNat said… The Nats do have the ability to go out and acquire some quality depth. You don't have to wait until the trade deadline to make moves. Go ahead and get somebody like a Willingham"Willingham? Do you think the Twins would take Corey Brown and Henry Rodriguez for him?He can take a walk however he isnt hitting a lick. Just another Mendoza hitter.

lineups are very delicate things…you take out your best hitter with a knee problem and then you take out another hot hitter with one who has shown no sign of hitting. no need to put additional holes in the lineup than you have to.

Fast Eddie:I am certainly not trying to make excuses for Denard Span who has been a vastly ineffective as an overall offensive player. However, it's important to get the facts right to give an accurate analysis. The MLB average OBP is .317. However, this includes at bats by pitchers and bench players.If a starter is going to produce absolutely zero power, and be your lead-off hitter, you can safely say you need him to produce an OBP more than 2 points above the league average (Span .319).

Scott Margenau said… JayB is right. About everything…. Reporters and managers are not doing their jobs. I was horrified when I saw the lineup. This is why I can't stand Davey. 6-7 losses are directly on him. June 15, 2013 11:14 AM ________________________________Nobody is saying Davey is perfect but blaming him for yesterdays loss when he had his 2 best veteran hitters up in a row with men on 2nd and 3rd and neither could knock a run in isn't on Davey, that is on the player.

imagine a lineup withspan,werth,harper,zimm,alr,desmond,rendon,ramosno one to pitch around…more chances of clutch hitting…everyone has a defined role in the lineupwe should have that in less than a month

Davey doesn't go from Manager of the Year to idiot. Sorry, I'm not buying that.Regardless of how bad his #7 and #8 hitters are right now, he had 1-6 stacked with all guys who are capable of getting the job done.The hitters failed once again. Someone has to answer to why Tracy is still employed here and I think that is Rizzo, not Davey.

Nats128,He is hitting below career averages, but he still has an OPS of .763. A ton better than Bernadina, Lombo, or Tracy is going to get you. And those are the players whose roles he would be taking on this team.Anyways, I just bring him up because I am farmiliar with him. The point is just go find a legit major league player or two to replace the above named Nats. Its not like getting a decent player has to kill your farm system. We are just talking about getting an average player. Because average would be a ton better than what the Nats are getting out of their non-starters.

jeffwx said… imagine a lineup withspan,werth,harper,zimm,alr,desmond,rendon,ramosno one to pitch around…more chances of clutch hitting…everyone has a defined role in the lineupwe should have that in less than a month June 15, 2013 11:34 AM ____________________________________Have to agree with you on that! Can't wait for that lineup!

and why they kept playing Espinosa for so long even though it was obvious there was something wrong.But 2 singles…you don't have a good chance of scoringBut you're right there is a reason we are currently among the worst hitting team in baseball. The bench had been a liability for most of the season. You expect injuries and to have guys to fill in.

"TexNat said… Nats128,He is hitting below career averages, but he still has an OPS of .763. A ton better than Bernadina, Lombo, or Tracy is going to get you. And those are the players whose roles he would be taking on this team."You dont understand Daveys philosophy. Willingham is your TylerMo who is now Marrero. What you need is a LH Willingham to replace Tracy. Closest the Nats have is Corey Brown. Why wasnt Corey Brown here 2 weeks ago. Who would you rather had batting 7th last night, Brown or Tracy.

Agree that Davey will want a lefty to replace Tracy.But they also need to replace the production that Moore was supposed to provide. And there is no reason to think that Marrero will give you that. Plus he can't play outfield.

Sorry, the ship may have sailed on Corey Brown again. Nats didn't catch him while he was hot. Corey went 0-4 with 3 K's last night.As I say, play the hot hand while they are hot. I agree, Davey has 25 players to play. Rizzo makes the personnel moves. With all that said, I'd rather have a .257 Corey Brown than a .130 Chad Tracy if that is the only alternative.By the way, TyMo bashed a HR last night. If the Nats get him back in "sync" they can bring him back. He is another one they let struggle while he had MiLB options.

DWS said… And if you send a player down using the excuse of reps. Why was Marrero brought up? June 15, 2013 11:47 AM Maybe you haven't noticed, Davey doesn't generally use Minor League callups unless their names are Harper and Rendon.Eury Perez wasn't even used in obvious pinch-runner when the situation called for it late in a game.

now you all are saying we don't have MILB players who can provide the extra punch…Have we all forgotten the team's secret weapon in waiting with over 1500 career MLB ABs with power….yes, I'm talking about Danny Espinosa who should be back up in less than a month ! Be afraid, be very afraid

It's true, Davey does seem to let the minor-league callups sit on the bench for a few games or maybe the occasional pinch hit before he uses them. Maybe he wants them to get acclimatized to the pace of the game; maybe he forgets their names until they've been around a while. Anyway, it will be interesting to see who goes when Stras comes.Cedeno – hardly used, seems like an extra part when you have Krol and AbadTracy – or will he DH against the righty on Sunday?Kobernus – I don't think so. Until Danny comes back, he's too useful, and he keeps Lombo out of LF. However, he could go if Tracy is DFA and Davey wants a LH bat/outfielderMarrero – I would let Cedeno go and keep Marrero for a while.Me playing GMTracy – DFABrown – up Cedeno – downWhen Harper comes back, Brown back down, sorry.

ac·cli·ma·tize adapt: to become accustomed to a new climate or environment, or help somebody to do this>If Espinosa comes back and plays everyday this site might go postal !oooooooooh, Can I watch? Can I? May I?

Don't pay a whole lot of attention to what Davey or Mike says about Danny coming back up…they may say nice things about Danny coming back, but that's for Danny's ears. No way will he replace Rendon in the lineup. If he comes back up soonest, it will be to ride the bench. I really think they will keep him in AAA to work on his hitting.

"SonnyG10 said… Don't pay a whole lot of attention to what Davey or Mike says about Danny coming back up…they may say nice things about Danny coming back, but that's for Danny's ears. No way will he replace Rendon in the lineup. If he comes back up soonest, it will be to ride the bench. I really think they will keep him in AAA to work on his hitting.""Manassas Nats' Fan said… Last 2 series we won them after losing first game"I hope you both are right.

Ask the experts. What is the point of having somebody (unless a first round pick) on the bench.Why bring that person up? To watch the game up close and personal. And are you serious or did I miss something? I don't need a dictionary to acclimatise myself.

After being on the DL for 5 wks, Brown is still showing a 325 .544 .869 line, and he did K 3 times last nite, but 3 other players including Moore also K'ed 2 times. Brown has a great power bat, speed, and can play all 3 OF positions very well, and yet has never been given the chance. Bernadina, and Tracy's ship has sailed after many chances. Instead of continuously using IF guys in the outfield, why aren't we using a true OF'er with talent like Brown, and see what he can do. He can't hurt us, and he just might be the spark this team needs.

I wouldn't complain, but I'm not too anxious to see Corey Brown come up. He's been up for a look at least two seasons in the past, one of which was after he was in a hot streak, and he did nothing at the major league level. He's like a left-handed hitting version of Justin Maxwell who could rake at triple A, but could not do well in the bigs.

Ghost Of Steve M. said…Sonny, the kid was still clutch with a walkoff single and a perfectly executed suicide squeeze in another game. That's more than Tracy's season so far. 1 GW HR.June 15, 2013 3:20 PMAgreed, Ghost. Even Maxwell would be better than Tracy. Like I said, I wouldn't complain if he came up, especially if he replaces Tracy.

Davey puts Rendon in the 2 hole and Kobernus batting 9th. Desi has Marrero behind him. Much better looking lineup than last night. Advice to Desi, if they want to walk you, take the walk.Sonny, Corey Brown would be an upgrade of at least marginal proportion over Tracy. Maybe he surprises us, not sure, but an upgrade none the less because he has multiple tools. I checked Tracy's toolbelt and it was empty ;(

New here, but loving the comments. I have been recently following the Nationals in earnest, finally getting MLB extra innings on my TV. I basically agree with the comments about keeping Rendon over Espi and the woeful lack of hitting. It's getting a bit far in the season to say, "they're starting a comeback", when they've only won two in a row, and they can't stand around waiting for Bryce Harper as the savior. They have good hitters who have to start hitting, and they have fielders who need to stop making errors. I know that this is easy to say from my recliner, but then, I'm not making the big bucks, either! I've seen this team play well and know that they are capable, and I really don't fault Davey as a manager. Gio did a good job yesterday, but got no run support.

Games in AL stadiums Zim pitches terribly. Why?Kipris twice hit one just right of where he is positioned. Apparently advance scouts gave a bad report.We have wasted this hitting effort so far. Our hitters quit after inning 3 like often they do.